Lead Prosecutor, Specialty Courts Unit | Criminal Division

Lead Prosecutor, Specialty Courts Unit | Criminal Division

Salary

$140,167.44 - $182,198.88 Annually

Location

Columbia Center, 701 5th Avenue, Suite 2050 Seattle, WA

Job Type

Civil Service Exempt, Regular, Full-time

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2026-00892

Department

Law Department

Opening Date

07/07/2026

Closing Date

7/21/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

Language Premium

Yes

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

With more than 200 attorneys and professional staff, the Seattle City Attorney's Office is one of the largest law offices in Seattle and is the third-largest public law office in the state. Our office is committed to making Seattle a safe, healthy, empowered, and thriving community for everyone. We strive to address historical injustices within the court system with self-examination and to pursue justice with integrity, creativity, and fairness. We believe working transparently, innovatively, and in collaboration with our partners in the community is necessary to achieve outcomes that promote equity, accountability, and healing.

The Criminal Division's Specialty Court Unit (SCU) is seeking a prosecutor with demonstrated leadership abilities and prosecutorial expertise to serve as a Lead Prosecutor. SCU houses multiple prosecutorial teams, including the Mental Health Court team, the Veterans Treatment Court team, the LINC (Legal Intervention and Network of Care) team, the LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion) team, and the Infractions team. The Lead Prosecutor will oversee the Infractions team and supervise the Rule 9 intern program.

Job Responsibilities

• Prepare and prosecute contested infraction cases and related motions in Seattle Municipal Court.
• Supervise and train Rule 9 interns throughout the year, which includes participating in the recruitment and hiring process, attending on-campus interviews, and monitoring the progress of the interns when preparing cases and while in court.
• Review and make filing decisions on serious infraction referrals from law enforcement.
• Oversee administrative aspects of infraction prosecution, including issues related to discovery, scheduling, office policy, etc.
• Consult with other City departments on infraction-related issues.
• Provide advice on proposed changes to City or State infraction laws.
• Assist the SCU supervisor with duties as assigned.
• Provide advice and support to the SCU's other teams and support personnel.
• Attend Division meetings and provide input on current Division issues.
• Cross-train with other SCU teams to provide back-up coverage.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in criminal and infraction prosecution.
• Ability to meet eligibility requirements of WSBA's Rule 9 supervisory attorney.

The successful candidate will also have:

• At least 3 years of general prosecution experience.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory abilities.
• Thorough knowledge of the Infraction Rules for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction.
• Thorough knowledge of the Criminal Rules for Court of Limited Jurisdiction.
• Knowledge of Revised Code of Washington infraction laws and Seattle Municipal Code infraction ordinances.
• Commitment to diversity, racial equity, and inclusion principles.

Additional Information

Application Process- For your application to be accepted you must:

• Complete the online City of Seattle Application

• https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle

• Include the following required attachments (.pdf, .doc, or .docx format):

• Cover letter describing your interest in the position.

• Resume detailing your relevant experience.

• Legal writing sample that is 5-15 pages in length. This can be an excerpt from a larger sample.

Application Submission Guidelines - All applicants are required to apply on or before the closing date indicated on the job posting. Applicant inquiries received via email and websites such as Indeed, etc. will not be considered unless the individual has applied to the available position via the Government Jobs site.

Note: The required documents listed in the above "Application Process" section must be attached to the application prior to the job closing date indicated to ensure consideration for the application submitted. Please contact the Office of Human Resources on or before the closing date indicated above at Law_HR@Seattle.gov should you need assistance with the online application process.

Race and Social Justice Initiative - The City of Seattle recognizes that every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. We seek individuals who will work toward the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative.

Compensation - The full salary range for this position is $67.13 - $87.26 per hour. Salaries are not subject to negotiation. Current City employees starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions.

Benefits - The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, 12 official holidays and 2 floating holidays, sick leave, and paid parental leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees. Additional benefits include executive leave, and eligibility for merit leave. City Attorney's Office employees also have the opportunity to participate in a defined benefits retirement program. More information about benefits can be found at Benefits - Human Resources | seattle.gov.

Language Premium (Protec 17, L21PA)* - Individuals selected to fill this position may be eligible to receive Language Premium Pay (SMC 4.20.360), which provides a $200.00 monthly stipend to qualified bilingual employees who are properly evaluated and assigned to provide direct communication in-language, interpretation, or translation services to the public on behalf of the City of Seattle.

Workplace Environment - Currently, the Seattle City Attorneys Office has a Flexible Work Arrangements Policy. Employees have the option to work a hybrid schedule (3 days in the office, 2 days remote). This is subject to change as circumstances and business needs dictate. This is a represented position covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the City of Seattle and Local 21PA.

Office Location: Columbia Center, 701 5th Avenue, Suite 2050, Seattle, WA 98104

Background Check Requirements - All positions are security sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the verification of credentials and/or other information required by the municipal corporation's procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check in accordance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information on good conduct and rehabilitation.

Who may apply - This position is open to all candidates who meet the minimum qualifications.

The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, family or marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, or other protected characteristics. The Seattle City Attorneys Office encourages people of all backgrounds to apply.

Questions? Contact our Human Resources team at LAW_HR@seattle.gov.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the Citys website at:

Benefits - Human Resources | seattle.gov

01

Did you include all required documents with your application? (Cover Letter, Resume, and Legal Writing Sample)

• Yes
• No

02

Are you an active member in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association, or are you actively licensed in another state and eligible to waive into Washington?

• Yes, Im an active member in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association
• Yes, Im actively licensed in another state and eligible to waive into Washington.
• No

03

If you are not an active member of WSBA, please list all states where you are currently or have previously been licensed.

04

If youre not an active member of WSBA, where are you in the process of obtaining membership?

• I have not started the process of obtaining membership.
• Ive started the process but Im not able to provide a timeline.
• I am able to complete the process of obtaining membership within 30 days of an offer of employment.
• I am able to complete the process of obtaining membership within 60 days of an offer of employment.
• I am able to complete the process of obtaining membership within 90 days of an offer of employment.
• N/A

05

Have you ever been disciplined by the WSBA or any other State Bar Association?

• Yes
• No

06

Have you ever been or are you currently under investigation?

• Yes
• No

07

The City and the Seattle City Attorneys Office have a commitment to ending institutional racism. Describe a time you took action to further equity.

08

The candidate selected for this position must successfully complete a background check. A history of arrest or conviction does not inherently disqualify an individual from consideration for hire. Are there any pertinent matters that we should be aware of at this time?

Required Question

Employer City of Seattle

Address Seattle Municipal Tower

700 5th Avenue, Suite 5500

Seattle, Washington, 98104

Website http://www.seattle.gov/jobs